Ryan Else

Attorney & Bio

Community Involvement

Publications & Presentations

Ryan Else

Ryan Else is an attorney, policy advocate, and author with the Law Office
of Brockton D. Hunter, PA. Ryan has represented clients across the state
of Minnesota on charges ranging from DWI/DUI to Murder in First Degree.
His aggressive approach has earned him a reputation as an attorney who
will do what it takes to fight for his clients’ rights. Despite
practicing since just 2011, Ryan’s work on behalf of his clients
has been recognized repeatedly within the criminal defense community.
He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and was awarded
the 2017 Up & Coming Attorney award by Minnesota Lawyer. Ryan was
selected to serve on the Board of the Minnesota Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers (MACDL) as the legislative chair, advocating for the interests
of all Minnesota defendants in shaping of the law at the legislature.

As of September 2014, Ryan is one of only about 1,300 attorneys nationally,
and less than ten practicing in Minnesota, to successfully complete Gerry
Spence’s nationally renowned Trial Lawyers College. The Trial Lawyers
College trains a select group of the nation’s top trial lawyers
as “warriors who have the courage to become a real person first,
and who then have the heart to fight for justice in their own passionate
voice.” Ryan attends the Trial Lawyers College nearly every year
to ensure the skills remain sharp and he’s ready to tell his clients’
most difficult stories.

Ryan served in the Army National Guard, in the historic 2/135 Infantry
Battalion of the 34th Infantry Division, “Red Bulls,” from
1998 to 2006, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He was deployed to Kosovo
in 2003 and 2004. He’s never forgot the lessons and comradery of
the service, dedicating a large portion of his career to advocating on
behalf of veterans in the criminal justice system. Along with Brock, he’s
built the Veterans Defense Project (VDP), which has quickly become one
of the most prominent organizations in the country on veterans criminal
justice issues. Brock and Ryan co-authored and edited
The Attorney’s Guide to Defending Veterans in Criminal Court, the legal treatise on the art and science of service-related disorders,
how they lead to criminal charges, and how to best advocate on behalf
of a veteran defendant.

Ryan graduated Summa Cum Laude from American University in Washington,
DC with a BS in International Studies following his time in the military.
He is now a proud husband and father, who has dedicated his life to serving
his clients, community, and country. Ryan’s guiding ethos is to
provide his clients with the same service and diligence he would want
if his family were facing serious criminal charges.

Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Executive Director of the Veterans Defense Project

Advisor and consultant for the Minnesota Humanities Center’s Veterans
Voices and the Constitution Project